Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, 13 March 1797: 'When I was with George Dyer one morning last week Mary Hayes & Miss Christall entered, & the ceremony of introduction followed. Mary Hayes writes in the M. Magazine under the signature M.H. & sometimes writes nonsense about Helvetius there. she has lately published a novel — Emma Courtney — a book much praised & much abused; I have not seen it myself. but the severe censures passed upon it by persons of narrow mind, have made be curious, & convinced me that it is at least an uncommon work. Mary Hays is an agreable woman — & a Godwinite.'